The Carvings of Wan Ko Yee
On April 3, 2008, a solemn and dignified book-launching ceremony was held at the Library of Congress of the United States; on occasion of the first release of a fact-recording book entitled H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, jointly published by the World Buddhism Publishing LLC and the World Dharma Voice, Inc. At the same time, the book was formally accepted into the collection of the Library of Congress of the United States. From then on, people came to know that the widely respected Master Wan Ko Yee, the one who has been recognized and corroborated through official written documents issued by top leaders, regent dharma kings, and great rinpoches of major Buddhist sects throughout the world; actually, is the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, the primordial Buddha. Ever since, people address the Buddha by the name Dorje Chang Buddha III. This is similar to the precedent regarding the name of Sakyamuni Buddha—before Sakyamuni Buddha attained Buddhahood, His name was Prince Siddhartha Gotama. Once Prince Siddhartha Gotama attained Buddhahood, He was thereafter addressed as “Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.”
On December 12, 2012, in the Senate Resolution No. 614 of the United States Congress, the title “His Holiness” was officially used with the name Dorje Chang Buddha III; the Buddha was addressed as “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.” Since then, the title H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was definitively affirmed.
“Dorje Chang Buddha III” is a statutory name; used in all official documents issued by the United States Government; such as passport, identity card, and social security documents. The previous name “Wan Ko Yee” is no longer valid, with no legal-binding effect, and no longer recognized by governments. “Dorje Chang Buddha III” is the only name in use.
TRIBUNE U.S.A. SEPTEMBER 13-19,2002 VOL. V NO.38
The Carvings of Wan Ko Yee, A Master of Art Were Exhibited, Providing People The Opportunity to Appreciate the Highest Form of Art
Unlike All Other Forms Of Art, His Works Cannot be Duplicated
A Painting by Master Wan Ko Yee sold for the highest price of any Chinese painting ever sold at an art auction. He has once again started the art world by recently exhibiting in California his superlatively crafted carvings. This exhibition provided people with the opportunity to appreciate the highest form of art. The themes of his carvings are from nature. His carvings are so natural looking that they are free from any traces of conscious artistry. In fact, they even surpass the workings of nature. They truly take one’s breath away. What is even more astonishing to those in art circles is that there is no way to copy any of his carvings. His works cannot be imitated through rubbings, grouting or computer simulation. Such an accomplishment is unprecedented in the history of art. The Master’s carvings have raised the level of art in the world to the highest level, since his workmanship has reached the acme of perfection.
At an art auction, master Wan Ko Yee’s painting entitled “The Venerable Da Li Wang” sold for US$2,207,912. This set a record for the most expensive Chinese painting ever sold. However, compared to his paintings, his carvings are even more difficult to obtain. When art critics view Master Wan Ko Yee’s carvings, they all evince expressions of astonishment, saying such things as, “these works of art could not possibly have been sculpted by man! Their style is vivid. Their scale is large. They are marvelous creations excelling nature. To say that they are superb would be insufficient. It would be accurate to say that the sculptor is a great master of art the likes of whom have never been seen before. It would also be appropriate to say that the sculptor is a beacon in the world of art, that he is a pre-eminent sculptor, and that his carvings surpass even nature itself”.
Master Wan Ko Yee’s carvings fall into four different styles: realistic, abstract, classical and modern. Each style is fascinating and too beautiful to be absorbed all at once. Each style has an alluring and wonderful quality to it, providing the viewer with a unique feeling. The viewer cannot help but acclaim the sculptor as a magnificent master of art.
Take for example, Master Wan Ko Yee’s carving entitled “Limestone Cave”. It has the shape of a natural huge rock formation, with stalactites of differing lengths. When you view the details of this rock formation, you realize that there are wonderful sights within the holes. You cannot help but be dumbfounded, thinking that this rock formation must have been transported from Lu di Rocks in Guilin or from the Wu Ling Garden Limestone Cave or from the Ejian Bi Stalactite Cave in Taiwan. How you ask could this possibly have been made by man? However, when you calmly reflect upon this, you realize that nature does not contain such small stalactites.
When the viewer squats down and carefully looks inside the holes, he will see small pillars of rocks, stalactites, rocks in the form of fungus and hanging rocks in the form of shield. All of these rock formations seem as if they were naturally formed through the constant dripping of water. You cannot see any traces of a chisel or other carving tool even though the carving was made from solid resin. Even nature could not make such a thing. But how could the artist have carved inside the small holes? How could there be so many natural looking stalactites in such a small area? Such exquisite rock formations cannot be found in a real limestone care.
Most works of art cannot be compared with the superlative craftsmanship of nature. However, the artistic level of this work of art not only surpasses the works of other artists, it also surpasses the majesty of natural limestone caves.
There is also the carving called “Wonder of Mysterious Cave,” which is even more phenomenal than the “Limestone Cave.” Master Wan Ko Yee has sculpted this amazing rock formation which appears entirely natural. There are many hold within the rock formation and even hole within the holes. There is a variety of scenes within the holes. Each facet of this carving is exquisite and flawless. Even the rock formations of nature cannot compare with it.
Those who have seen natural carves will marvel at the interplay of lightness and shade and the effects of this interplay over time. Similarly, the shining of light upon this “Wonder of a Mysterious Cave” from different angles will produce various effects of lightness and shade, as well as various color changes. The shapes of the holes are diversified and marvelous. The artistic level of this carving is indescribably high. Its curves and lines flow smoothly, like mellifluous music. Anyone who wants to full appreciate the beauty that this work of art displays will have to spend at least forty minutes viewing it. This sculpture, which is most fascinating, is much more marvelous than a natural cave. This artistic accomplishment portrays something within nature but at the same time surpasses nature. Often, there is only one facet or part of a natural rock formation that is enchanting. The other facets or parts do not display anything wonderful. However, every facet or part of this carving by the Master is enchanting. Thus, the viewer has a deep appreciation for the entire carving. This is an unprecedented accomplishment in the history of art.
What is even more amazing is that there is no way in the world to copy this wonderful rock formation. It cannot be imitated though rubbings, grouting or computer simulation. This is also a great accomplishment that is unprecedented in the history of art.
Of those carvings by Master Wan Ko Yee that were exhibited in California, the smallest was about three feet tall and the largest was about ten feet high and twenty feet long. The feeling one gets when viewing his carvings is that each of them must have taken three, four, or five years to complete. Some of his works leave one with the impression that the artist must have spent a few dozen years just carving that one work of art. More important, each of the Master’s carvings seem more real and majestic than the creations of nature. The viewer is both visually and mentally amazed at such sights. The inimitable nature of the Master’s carvings makes each of them unique and priceless. The Master has made an enormous contribution to the world of sculpture.
